Thailand looking for new shrimp markets

Rather than relying only on the US
market whose total export share amounts to 40%, Thai shrimp farmers, would be
better off exploring new markets in Russia and the Middle East, reports the
Fisheries Department.

The Department is in the process of implementing a new 2009-2011 roadmap,
which will reduce dependence on the US market.

It said that the first three year
plan, ending this year, has met all the targets, pushing the industry's exports
to 70-80 billion (€ 1.44-1.64 billion) on average and output volume to about
450,000 tonnes.

Another "plus", has been the enlargement of the shrimp
farming areas by 10% and improving the yields of white shrimp and black tiger
shrimp to over respectively 5,600 kilograms and 4,700 kg per ha from 5,000 kg
and 2,200 kg last year, while "promoting a better shrimp farm environment that
meets international standards and allows consumers to trace back production
sources" (JR).